The Trump administration announced Wednesday that it will withdraw 700 federal immigration enforcement agents from Minnesota, scaling back a recent surge operation that had drawn intense public scrutiny and protests across the Twin Cities.
White House border czar Tom Homan made the announcement during a Wednesday morning press conference, just over a week after he arrived in Minnesota to review and restructure an immigration enforcement initiative that had faced growing backlash from community groups, activists, and local officials.
According to Homan, the decision to reduce the federal presence follows what he described as an “unprecedented” increase in cooperation between county jails and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). A growing number of counties have begun notifying ICE when individuals with immigration violations are already in custody, allowing agents to take custody of those individuals directly from jails rather than conducting arrests in public spaces.
Homan said this shift improves officer safety and reduces the need for street-level enforcement operations. He stated that the change was facilitated with the involvement of Minnesota’s Democratic leadership and would allow ICE to reduce its operational footprint in the state by nearly 20 percent immediately.
“Given this increase in unprecedented collaboration — and as a result of the need for less law enforcement officers needed to do this work, and the safer environment — I am announcing effective immediately that we will draw down 700 people,” Homan said.
Homan added that the administration’s broader goal is a complete end to the surge operation, contingent on continued cooperation from state and local law enforcement as well as a reduction in violence, hostile rhetoric, and attacks directed at federal agents.
“My goal is, with the support of President Trump, to achieve a complete drawdown. And end the surge as soon as we can,” Homan said. “A complete drawdown is going to depend on continued cooperation from state and local law enforcement and the decrease of the violence, the rhetoric and the attacks.”
The federal surge, known as Operation Metro Surge, began last year and has been marked by sustained protests and organized opposition. Homan said an organized network of anti-ICE activists has tracked agents, interfered with enforcement actions, and staged demonstrations since the operation began.
Tensions escalated significantly following the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by agents. Homan was sent to Minnesota last week following Pretti’s death in an effort to de-escalate the situation and reduce conflict surrounding the operation.
As part of the de-escalation effort, Homan said he met with several Minnesota leaders, including Governor Tim Walz, Attorney General Keith Ellison, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, and other local officials.
“While we had our differences, one thing was clear, we all committed to public safety for all who live in the Twin Cities,” Homan said. “We have made significant progress under the direction of President Trump, working with state and local officials here in Minnesota, and I expect that to increase in the coming weeks.”
Despite the drawdown, federal officials emphasized that immigration enforcement in Minnesota will continue. Homan stated that enforcement efforts are not limited to individuals who have committed crimes beyond immigration violations, reiterating that all illegal immigrants remain subject to enforcement under federal law.
In response to concerns over transparency and accountability, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced that all field officers operating in Minneapolis will now be equipped with body cameras. She added that officers nationwide will also be required to wear body cameras once additional funding becomes available.
